Millwall boss pleased with January transfer deals

NEIL Harris said Millwall can’t afford to “stand still” as he reflected on a successful January transfer window.

Millwall confirmed the high-profile signing of their former star Tim Cahill on Monday, following the captures of Jason Shackell and Harry Toffolo.

Wolves winger Ben Marshall signed on loan until the end of the season to give the Lions options on both flanks.

Harris admitted they will have to be “patient” with Cahill, who hasn’t played competitively since December 2.

But he was pleased with Millwall’s business this month.

“Jason Shackell, Tim Cahill, Harry Toffolo and one more [Marshall] is going to give us a big lift,” he said after the 0-0 draw against Derby on Tuesday night. “It’s important to have that strength in depth at this stage of the season.

“We can’t afford to stand still as a club. We can’t do that because everyone else is moving forward.

“It’s been a whirlwind few days. The focus has been on trying to bring in quality players but also focus on [Tuesday’s] game. Timmy was in working at the training ground with Shacks and Harry and a couple of the young lads. They’ll bed in together.

“We’ll be patient with Timmy.

“He’ll bring great qualities to the dressing room as a man. He’s played all over the world. He has great experience and is great with the young lads. Even when he was young himself he was great in the dressing room.

“He’s here to pass on his experience, but first and foremost he is here to affect the team and help us get results.

“He wanted to come back and play for Millwall because of what it means to him, he wanted to come back and play for me. He wants to lead and he’ll help our leaders do that.

“A player who is close to the club’s heart has come back to play for us. What he brings in terms of experience and a global name is important, it stirs the place up. The boys are buzzing.

He’s been at the club all day [Tuesday]. He was in the dressing room before the game, after the game and they will thrive off that. He’s a great character.

“I look at the characters I have in the dressing room, people like Steve Morison, what a brilliant leader. We’re trying to build something long-term and having these people share their experiences will make us a better group.”